General Prayer for the Sick.

ALMIGHTY GOD, and Heavenly Father, whose providence orders all things both in heaven and earth; we humble ourselves before Thee with the deepest reverence; acknowledging that even in your severest dispensations you have gracious designs towards us. We beseech Thee to look down in Your wonted goodness and mercy upon this Your servant, upon whom You have laid your afflicting hand. Sanctify Your fatherly correction to him (or her), and grant that he may receive it with meekness and bear it with patience. Suffer him not, O Lord, to murmur or repine at the severity of his trials; but let all Your visitations be so blessed to him, by the consolations of Your Holy Spirit, that they may be the means of weaning him more and more from the world of sin, of setting his affections on things above, and not on things on the earth, and of bringing him nearer to Thee in true devotion of heart. We know, O Heavenly Father, that You do not willingly afflict and grieve the children of men; and that of Your goodness You have caused this sickness to befall Your servant [or have allowed it]. O grant him such a measure of Your grace, as may enable him cheerfully to submit his will to Yours, and to regard this visitation as a paternal chastisement from You, to promote his spiritual good. And if, in the days of health and prosperity, he has at any time and in any manner forgotten You, and turned aside from Your holy way; O merciful God, let not his past faults provoke You to turn Your face from him, now that he flies unto You in this his time of trouble. Shut not up Your tender mercies in displeasure, but for the merits of Your dear Son, and through His all-prevailing intercession, pardon all his sins, and restore him to Your love and favor. Support him, O Lord, under all his pains and infirmities; perfect his repentance; increase and strengthen his faith; incite his obedience; and expand his charity. [L]ay not more upon him than You wilt enable him to bear, and with the temptations that You permit to assail him, do You, according to Your promise, provide a way for his escape.

Bless the means which are being employed for his relief; and recovery; grant that they may be such, and so directed that they may bring about, in Your good time, that desirable result. But if You hast otherwise determined, grant, we beseech You, that the more the outward man decay, so much the more the inner man may be strengthened and renewed by Your Holy Spirit; and give him grace so to take Your visitation, that after this painful life is ended, he may dwell with You, in life everlasting, through the merits and mediation of our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.